Vehicle control device, portable device, portable device search system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle has a search signal transmission unit that transmits a search signal for searching a position of a portable device, which remotely operates the control device, a determination unit that determines a bright and dark state of outside of the vehicle, and a storage unit that stores a determination result of the determination unit. When searching for the portable device, a first search signal for causing the portable device to perform an informing operation of visually informing the position of the portable device is transmitted from the search signal transmission unit if the determination result in which the outside of the vehicle is determined as the dark state by the determination unit is stored in the storage unit, and a second search signal for not causing the portable device to perform the informing operation of visually informing the position of the portable device is transmitted from the search signal transmission unit if the determination result in which the outside of the vehicle is determined as the bright state by the determination unit is stored in the storage unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system including a control devicemounted on a vehicle, and a portable device for remotely operating thecontrol device.

2. Related Art

Conventionally, an electronic key system of performing communicationbetween a vehicle control device such as an ECU (Electronic ControlUnit) and a BCM (Body Control Module) mounted on an automobile and aportable wireless transmitter (hereinafter described as “portabledevice”) owned by the driver, and locking and unlocking a ride-on/offdoor etc. or starting or stopping the engine when the communication isestablished has been put to practical use.

However, in this type of electronic key system, the portable device isdifficult to find when the portable device is lost. Japanese UnexaminedPatent Publication No. 2008-163633 discloses an electronic key system ofinforming the position of the portable device to the periphery bytransferring a search signal for searching the portable device from thevehicle control device to the portable device, and activating aninforming unit arranged in the portable device when the portable deviceis lost.

When the informing unit arranged in the portable device is a lightemitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), the light emittingunit activates (blinks or lights on) based on the search signal, andthus the portable device can be easily found when looking for the lostportable device at night or in dark places.

SUMMARY

However, in the electronic key system of Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2008-163633, the light emitting unit activates (blinksor lights) even when looking for the lost portable device at daytime orin bright places, and thus the power used for the light emission becomesa waste. Thus, consumption of the power supply device (e.g., battery)built in the portable device also becomes faster.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a vehiclecontrol device and a portable device capable of suppressing theconsuming amount of power used when searching for the portable device,and a portable device search system equipped with the same.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vehiclecontrol device mounted on a vehicle includes: a search signaltransmission unit for transmitting a search signal for searching aposition of a portable device, which remotely operates the controldevice; a determination unit for determining a bright and dark state ofoutside of the vehicle; and a storage unit for storing a determinationresult of the determination unit.

When searching for the portable device, a first search signal forcausing the portable device to perform an informing operation ofvisually informing the position of the portable device is transmittedfrom the search signal transmission unit if the determination result inwhich the outside of the vehicle is determined as the dark state by thedetermination unit is stored in the storage unit. A second search signalfor not causing the portable device to perform the informing operationof visually informing the position of the portable device is transmittedfrom the search signal transmission unit if the determination result inwhich the outside of the vehicle is determined as the bright state bythe determination unit is stored in the storage unit.

Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, theinforming operation of visually informing the position of the portabledevice is performed by the portable device only when the outside of thevehicle is a dark state, that is, when in a vehicle exterior environmentwhere portable device is difficult to find. Thus, the wasteful informingoperation does not need to be performed by the portable device when theoutside of the vehicle is a bright state, that is, when in a vehicleexterior environment where portable device is easy to find. Theconsuming amount of power used on the portable device side thus can besuppressed when searching for the portable device. That is, the lifespanof the battery generally used as a power supply of the portable deviceis suppressed from being short.

In the above aspect of the present invention, the vehicle control devicefurther includes: a locking operation unit for locking a door of thevehicle. The first or the second search signal is transmitted from thesearch signal transmission unit if the locking operation unit isoperated when searching for the portable device.

Therefore, search signal is transmitted to search for the portabledevice only when the locking operation of the door of the vehicle isperformed, and thus the search signal does not need to be transmittedfrom the vehicle control device on a constant basis. The load of thevehicle control device thus can be alleviated.

In the above aspect of the present invention, a stop signal for stoppingthe informing operation is transmitted from the search signaltransmission unit when a time in which the informing operation isperformed by the portable device exceeds a predetermined time.

Therefore, the informing operation on the portable device side can beautomatically stopped after elapse of a predetermined time even if theportable device is not found by the driver and the like, and hence thepower supply (battery) on the portable device side can be prevented frombeing worn.

In the above aspect of the present invention, the vehicle control devicemay further include: an illuminance measurement unit for measuring anilluminance of the outside of the vehicle.

The determination unit determines that the outside of the vehicle is thedark state when the illuminance measured by the illuminance measurementunit is smaller than a reference value set in advance, and determinesthat the outside of the vehicle is the bright state when the illuminancemeasured by the illuminance measurement unit is greater than or equal tothe reference value set in advance.

Therefore, in a conventional vehicle mounted with a system for lightingthe headlight when the illuminance of the vehicle exterior measured bythe illuminance measurement unit becomes smaller than a reference valueset in advance, one or more embodiments of the present invention can beeasily implemented using the relevant system, and hence the introducingcost can be saved.

In the above aspect of the present invention, the determination unitdetermines that the outside of the vehicle is the dark state when a timedifference between a light-off time of a headlight of the vehicle and acurrent time is within a predetermined time, and determines that theoutside of the vehicle is the bright state when the time differencebetween the light-off time of the headlight of the vehicle and thecurrent time is greater than the predetermined time.

Therefore, if the portable device is searched at a time a considerabletime has elapsed from the light-off time of the headlight, for example,at eight o'clock in the morning at which 12 hours have elapsed from thelight-off time of eight o'clock in the afternoon, the informing unit canbe prevented from being mistakenly operated even though the periphery isbright.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portabledevice for remotely operating the above vehicle control device includes:a search signal reception unit for receiving the first and the secondsearch signals; and an informing unit for performing the informingoperation of visually informing the position of the portable device.

The informing unit performs the informing operation of visuallyinforming the position of the portable device when the first searchsignal is received by the search signal reception unit; and theinforming unit does not perform the informing operation of visuallyinforming the position of the portable device when the second searchsignal is received by the search signal reception unit.

Therefore, the informing operation of visually informing the position ofthe portable device is performed by the portable device only when theoutside of the vehicle is a dark state, that is, when in a vehicleexterior environment where portable device is difficult to find. Thus,the wasteful informing operation does not need to be performed when theoutside of the vehicle is a bright state, that is, when in a vehicleexterior environment where portable device is easy to find. Theconsuming amount of power used on the portable device side thus can besuppressed when searching for the portable device. That is, the lifespanof the battery generally used as a power supply of the portable deviceis suppressed from being short.

In the above another aspect of the present invention, the portabledevice further includes: a remote operation unit for remotely operatingthe vehicle control device. If the remote operation unit is operatedwhile the informing operation by the informing unit is being performed,a stop signal for stopping the informing operation by the informing unitis received by the search signal reception unit and the informingoperation is stopped.

Therefore, the informing operation is not terminated until the portabledevice is found by the driver etc., and some kind of operation (e.g.,locking operation) is performed at the portable device, and hence thelost portable device can be easily found.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, aportable device search system includes the above vehicle control deviceand the above portable device.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, theinforming operation of visually informing the position of the portabledevice is performed by the portable device only when the outside of thevehicle is a dark state in searching for the portable device. Thus, thewasteful informing operation does not need to be performed by theportable device when the outside of the vehicle is a bright state. Theconsuming amount of power used on the portable device side thus can besuppressed when searching for the portable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one example of the electronic keysystem according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a vehicle for applying an electronic keysystem;

FIG. 3 is a view showing details of a door on a driver seat side;

FIG. 4 is a view showing details of a door on a passenger seat side;

FIG. 5 is an outer appearance of a portable device used in theelectronic key system;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation related to thelight-on/light-off of the headlight;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of measuring thevehicle exterior illuminance;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation when searching for theportable device;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation when searching for theportable device; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation when searching for theportable device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe invention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known features have not been described in detail toavoid obscuring the invention. Hereinafter, embodiments of the presentinvention applied to the electronic key system of the vehicle will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one example of the configuration ofthe electronic key system according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. In the figure, a vehicle control device 100 controlseach unit of the vehicle. The vehicle control device 100 is mounted on avehicle 200 shown in FIG. 2.

A portable wireless transmitter/receiver (hereinafter described as“portable device”) 300 is used when remotely performing the operationnecessary for the execution of various types of controls by the vehiclecontrol device. The portable device 300 is carried around in a bag B(FIG. 2) carried by a driver H (FIG. 2).

The vehicle control device 100 performs a control of headlight devices51 a, 51 b for enhancing the visibility of the front side of the vehicle200, a door 52 a for getting on and off to and from the driver seat (notshown), a door 52 b for getting on and off to and from the passengerseat (not shown), an engine 53 for driving the vehicle 200, and thelike. The operations related to locking and unlocking of the doors 52 a,52 b are executed in the portable device 300. That is, the portabledevice 300 has a function serving as an electronic key.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 100 includes a controlunit 11, locking operation units 12 a, 12 b, locking drive units 13 a,13 b, locking detection units 14 a, 14 b, open/close detection units 15a, 15 b, vehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a,16 b, vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17b, an engine startup operation unit 18, an engine drive control unit 19,an alarm unit 20, a timing unit 21, an illuminance measurement unit 22,and a storage unit 23.

The vehicle control device 100 is also configured by various devices(e.g., battery) other than the above, the illustration and thedescription thereof will be omitted.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1, the portable device 300 includes acontrol unit 31, a signal transmission and reception unit 32, a lockingoperation unit 33, a display unit 34, a storage unit 35, and a powersupply 36.

The portable device 300 is also configured by various devices (e.g.,mechanical key) other than the above, the illustration and thedescription thereof will be omitted.

The vehicle control device 100 and the portable device 300 configure aportable device search system.

In the following, each unit of the vehicle control device 100 will bedescribed first. The control unit 11 is configured by a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit), and the like, which controls each unit of the vehiclecontrol device 100.

The locking operation units 12 a, 12 b are configured by a push-typebutton etc. Specifically, the locking operation unit 12 a is configuredby a locking button La arranged on the front side of a knob Ka, which ison the outer side of the door 52 a (FIG. 3), an unlocking sensor ULaarranged on the back side of the knob Ka, and a lock/unlock switch (notshown) arranged on the inner side of the door 52 a.

The locking operation unit 12 b is also configured by a locking buttonLb arranged on the front side of a knob Kb, which is on the outer sideof the door 52 b (FIG. 4), an unlocking sensor ULb arranged on the backside of the knob Kb, and a lock/unlock switch (not shown) arranged onthe inner side of the door 52 b.

When the locking operation unit 12 a, 12 b is operated, the operationsignal (locking operation signal or unlocking operation signal)corresponding to the relevant operation is input to the control unit 11.

For instance, when the locking operation is performed with the lockingbutton La or the lock/unlock switch arranged on the inner side of thedoor 52 a, the locking operation signal for locking the door 52 a andthe door 52 b is input to the control unit 11.

When the unlocking operation is performed with the unlocking sensor ULaor the lock/unlock switch arranged on the inner side of the door 52 a,the unlocking operation signal for unlocking the door 52 a and the door52 b is input to the control unit 11.

When the locking operation is performed with the locking button Lb orthe lock/unlock switch arranged on the inner side of the door 52 b, thelocking operation signal for locking only the door 52 b is input to thecontrol unit 11.

When the unlocking operation is performed with the unlocking sensor ULbor the lock/unlock switch arranged on the inner side of the door 52 b,the unlocking operation signal for unlocking only the door 52 b is inputto the control unit 11.

The locking drive units 13 a, 13 b are configured by a lock mechanismfor locking/unlocking the doors 52 a, 52 b, a motor for driving the lockmechanism, and the like. The locking drive units 13 a, 13 b lock/unlockthe doors 52 a, 52 b according to the locking operation units 12 a, 12 bor the operation content of the locking operation unit 33, to behereinafter described, under the control of the control unit 11.

The locking detection units 14 a, 14 b are configured by a switch, andthe like. The locking detection unit 14 a detects whether or not thedoor 52 a is in the locked state, and the locking detection unit 14 bdetects whether or not the door 52 b is in the locked state.

The open/close detection units 15 a, 15 b are configured by anopen/close sensor, and the like. The open/close detection unit 15 adetects whether or not the door 52 a is in the closed state, and theopen/close detection unit 15 b detects whether or not the door 52 b isin the closed state.

The vehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 bare configured by an antenna, and the like. The vehicle interior signaltransmission and reception unit 16 a is arranged on the front right partof the vehicle 200 (see FIG. 2), and the vehicle interior signaltransmission and reception unit 16 b is arranged on the back left partof the vehicle 200 (see FIG. 2).

The communication range of the vehicle interior signal transmission andreception unit 16 a is limited to the interior of the vehicle 200, andsuch communication range is within a region surrounded by a dotted lineX shown in FIG. 2. The communication range of the vehicle interiorsignal transmission and reception unit 16 b is also limited to theinterior of the vehicle 200, and such communication range is within aregion surrounded by a dotted line Y shown in FIG. 2.

The communication ranges of the vehicle interior signal transmission andreception units 16 a, 16 b extends up to the corners of the passengercompartment (not shown) to where the driver H etc. ride on, and theluggage compartment for storing luggage and the like. Thus, the vehicleinterior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b and theportable device 300 can communicate when the portable device 300 isinside the vehicle 200.

The vehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 bhaving the above configuration transmit a search signal for searchingwhether or not the portable device 300 is within the respectivecommunication range under the control of the control unit 11. Thevehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b alsoreceive a predetermined signal transmitted from the portable device 300.The details on the signals transmitted from the portable device 300 tothe vehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 bwill be described later.

The vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 bare configured by an antenna, and the like. The vehicle exterior signaltransmission and reception unit 17 a is arranged on a side mirror 54 aof the vehicle 200 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and the vehicle exterior signaltransmission and reception unit 17 b is arranged on a side mirror 54 bof the vehicle 200 (FIGS. 2 and 4).

The communication ranges of the vehicle exterior signal transmission andreception unit 17 a, 17 b are limited to the exterior of the vehicle200, and such communication ranges are within regions surrounded bychain dashed line V, W shown in FIG. 2, respectively. The vehicleexterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b and theportable device 300 thus can communicate when the portable device 300 isat outside the vehicle 200 and is within the region surrounded by thechain dashed line V, W.

The vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 bhaving the above configuration transmit a search signal for searchingwhether or not the portable device 300 is within the respectivecommunication range under the control of the control unit 11. Thevehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b alsoreceive a predetermined signal transmitted from the portable device 300.The details on the signals transmitted from the portable device 300 tothe vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 bwill be described later.

The engine startup operation unit 18 is configured by a push-type buttonand the like. When the engine startup operation unit 18 is operated, theoperation signal (engine startup signal or engine stop signal)corresponding to the relevant operation is input to the control unit 11.

The engine drive control unit 19 is configured by an arithmetic circuitand the like. The engine drive control unit 19 calculates the fuelsupply amount, the fuel injection timing, the ignition timing, and thelike from the rotation number of the engine 53, the load exerted on theengine 53, and the like, and drive controls the engine 53 based on thecalculation result.

The alarm unit 20 is configured by a buzzer, and the like. The alarmunit 20 issues a predetermined alarm sound under the control of thecontrol unit 11 when the locking operation is performed with theportable device 300 left inside the vehicle 200, when the travelingspeed of the vehicle 200 exceeds a preset speed, when the door 52 a orthe door 53 b is forcibly opened by a criminal, and the like.

The timing unit 21 is configured by a clock for timing the current time,a timer for measuring the elapsed time, and the like.

The illuminance measurement unit 22 is configured by an illuminancesensor etc. that uses a phototransistor or a photodiode, and measuresthe vehicle exterior illuminance of the vehicle 200. The illuminancemeasurement unit 22 is installed on a dashboard DB (FIG. 2) of thevehicle 200. The illuminance of the light entering from the outside tothe inside of the vehicle then can be detected.

The storage unit 23 is configured by an EEPROM (Electronically Erasableand Programmable Read Only Memory), and the like. The storage unit 23stores in advance controls programs for controlling each unit of thevehicle control device 100, various types of application software,unique ID (Identification) information for recognizing the portabledevice 300, to be hereinafter described, and the like.

The storage unit 23 also stores the light-off time of the headlightdevices 51 a, 51 b, the vehicle exterior illuminance measured by theilluminance measurement unit 22, and the like.

The locking operation units 12 a, 12 b serve as a locking operation unitin one or more embodiments of the present invention. The vehicleinterior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b and thevehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 bserves as a search signal transmission unit in one or more embodimentsof the present invention. The illuminance measurement unit 22 serves asan illuminance measurement unit in one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. The storage unit 23 serves as a storage unit in oneor more embodiments of the present invention. The control unit 11 servesas a determination unit in one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

A series of operations when the light-off time of the headlight devices51 a, 51 b is stored in the storage unit 23 will now be described usingthe flowchart of FIG. 6.

The process proceeds to step S2 if the light-on operation of theheadlight devices 51 a, 51 b is performed by the driver H (FIG. 2) instep S1 of FIG. 6 (step S1: YES), and the present flowchart isterminated if the light-on operation is not performed (step S1: NO).

A case in which step S1 becomes “YES” includes a case in which thevisibility of the front side of the vehicle 200 is low to the driver H,for example, a case in which the outside of the vehicle 200 is dark. Acase in which step S1 becomes “NO” includes a case in which thevisibility of the front side of the vehicle 200 is high to the driver H,for example, a case in which the outside of the vehicle 200 is bright.

In step S2, the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b are lighted based on theexecution of the light-on operation of the headlight devices 51 a, 51 bin step S1.

When the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b are lighted on in step S2,determination is made that the outside of the vehicle 200 is dark, thatis, a vehicle exterior environment where the portable device 300 isdifficult to find on the vehicle control device 100 side. The displayunit 34 of the portable device 300 needs to be blinked when searchingfor the portable device 300, and hence, information for blinking thedisplay unit 34 (hereinafter described as “blinking “necessary”information” is stored in the storage unit 23 in step S3.

The process proceeds to step S5 if the light-off operation of theheadlight devices 51 a, 51 b is performed by the driver H in step S4,and the process returns to immediately before step S4 if the light-offoperation is not performed (step S4: NO).

In step S5, the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b are lighted off based onthe execution of the light-off operation of the headlight devices 51 a,51 b in step S4.

In step S6, the light-off time of the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b isstored in the storage unit 23 based on the light-off of the headlightdevices 51 a, 51 b in step S5.

The present flowchart is terminated if the stop operation of the engine53 is performed by the driver H and the engine 53 is stopped in step S7(step S7: YES), and the process proceeds to step S8 if the stopoperation of the engine 53 is not performed, and the engine 53 is notstopped (step S7: NO).

In step S8, verification of the current time timed by the timing unit 21and the light-off time of the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b stored in thestorage unit 23 is carried out under the control of the control unit 11.If the difference between the current time and the light-off time iswithin a predetermined time (for example, one hour) set in advance (stepS8: YES) as a result of the verification, the process returns toimmediately before step S1. The process proceeds to step S9 if thedifference is not within the predetermined time set in advance, that is,the difference exceeds the predetermined time (step S8: NO).

At the time at which a considerable time has elapsed from the light-offtime of the headlight, for example, at eight o'clock in the morning atwhich 12 hours have elapsed from the light-off time of eight o'clock inthe afternoon, the outside of the vehicle 200 is bright, that is, thevehicle exterior environment is such that the portable device 300 can beeasily found. In this case, the display unit 34 of the portable device300 does not need to be blinked when searching for the portable device300. Thus, the information for not blinking the display unit 34(hereinafter described as “blinking “unnecessary” information” is storedin the storage unit 23 in step S9.

In this case, the “blinking “necessary” information” stored in thestorage unit 23 in step S3 is overwritten and erased by the “blinking“unnecessary” information”. The process again returns to immediatelybefore step S1 after the processing operation of step S9 is terminated.

Now, a series of operations in a case where the vehicle exteriorilluminance measured by the illuminance measurement unit 22 is storedwill be described using the flowchart of FIG. 7.

In step 511 of FIG. 7, the luminance measurement unit 22 measures thevehicle exterior illuminance of the vehicle 200.

In step S12, the vehicle exterior illuminance measured in step S11 isstored in the storage unit 23.

In step S13, the vehicle exterior illuminance measured in step S11 andstored in the storage unit 23 in step S12, and the reference illuminancestored in advance in the storage unit 23 are compared and verified underthe control of the control unit 11. The process proceeds to step S14 ifthe vehicle exterior illuminance is smaller than the referenceilluminance (step S13: YES) as a result of the verification, and theprocess proceeds to step S15 if the vehicle exterior illuminance isgreater than or equal to the reference illuminance (step S13: NO).

In step S14, determination is made by the control unit 11 that theoutside of the vehicle 200 is dark based on the verification result ofstep S13, and thus the “blinking “necessary” information” is stored inthe storage unit 23, and the present flowchart is thereafter terminated.

In step S15, determination is made by the control unit 11 that theoutside of the vehicle 200 is bright based on the verification result ofstep S13, and thus the “blinking “unnecessary” information” is stored inthe storage unit 23, and the present flowchart is thereafter terminated.

The operations between steps S11 and S15 described above are repeatedlyexecuted every time a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) has elapsedduring the operation of the engine 53, for example. The “blinking“necessary” information”/“blinking “unnecessary” information” arerewritten each time.

Returning back to FIG. 1, each unit of the portable device 300 will bedescribed. The control unit 31 is configured by a CPU, and the like, andcontrols each unit of the portable device 300.

The signal transmission and reception unit 32 is configured by anantenna and the like. When receiving the search signal transmitted fromthe vehicle control device 100 side, the signal transmission andreception unit 32 transmits the response signal with respect to thesearch signal towards the vehicle control device 100. The signaltransmission and reception unit 32 also transmits the operation signalcorresponding to the operation at the locking operation unit 33 towardsthe vehicle control device 100. The details on the operation signalcorresponding to the operation at the locking operation unit 33 will bedescribed later.

The response signal transmitted from the signal transmission andreception unit 32 is received by either one or both of the vehicleinterior signal transmission and reception unit 16 a, 16 b when theportable device 300 is inside the vehicle 200 (FIG. 2). If the portabledevice 300 is outside the vehicle 200 and is within the communicationrange (chain dashed line V, W of FIG. 2) of either one of the vehicleexterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b, theresponse signal is received by the communicable vehicle exterior signaltransmission and reception unit.

The locking operation unit 33 is configured by a push-type button, andthe like. Specifically, the locking operation unit 33 is configured by alocking button 33 a and an unlocking button 33 b arranged on the frontside of the portable device 300 (FIG. 5).

For instance, when the locking button 33 a is operated by the driver Hat outside the vehicle 200, the locking operation signal for locking thedoor 52 a and the door 52 b is input to the control unit 31. The lockingoperation signal input to the control unit 31 is transmitted from thesignal transmission and reception unit 32, and received by either one ofthe vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception unit 17 a, 17 b.

When the unlocking button 33 b is operated by the driver H at outsidethe vehicle 200, the unlocking operation signal for unlocking the door52 a and the door 52 b is input to the control unit 31. The unlockingoperation signal input to the control unit 31 is transmitted from thesignal transmission and reception unit 32, and received by either one ofthe vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception unit 17 a, 17 b.

The display unit 34 is configured by an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Thedisplay unit 34 blinks when a predetermined operation is executed at thelocking operation unit 33, when the search of the portable device 300 isperformed by the vehicle control device 100, and the like. The detailson the searching operation of the portable device 300 by the vehiclecontrol device 100 will be described later.

The storage unit 35 is configured by an EEPROM. The storage unit 35stores ID information unique to the portable device 300 for the vehiclecontrol device 100 to recognize the portable device 300.

The power supply 36 is a button-type battery, and supplies power to eachunit of the portable device 300.

In the above description, the signal transmission and reception unit 32serves as a search signal reception unit in one or more embodiments ofthe present invention. The locking operation unit 33 serves as a remoteoperation unit in one or more embodiments of the present invention. Thedisplay unit 34 serves as an informing unit in one or more embodimentsof the present invention.

A series of operations performed when the vehicle control device 100searches for the portable device 300 in the vehicle control device 100(FIG. 1) and the portable device 300 (FIG. 1) having the aboveconfiguration will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 10.

The process proceeds to step S32 if the locking operation is performedon the vehicle 200 (FIG. 2) side in step S31 of FIG. 8 (step S31: YES),and the process proceeds to step S66 of FIG. 10 if the locking operationis not performed on the vehicle 200 side (step S31: NO).

A case in which step S31 becomes “YES” is a case in which the lockingbutton La arranged on the knob Ka of the door 52 a (FIG. 3) or thelocking button Lb arranged on the knob Kb of the door 52 b (FIG. 4) isoperated by the driver H (FIG. 2).

In step S32, whether or not the display unit 34 needs to be blinked isverified based on the “blinking “necessary” information” and the“blinking “unnecessary” information” stored in the storage unit 23 underthe control of the control unit 11 (FIG. 1). The process proceeds tostep S33 if the display unit 34 needs to be blinked (step S32: YES) as aresult of the verification, and the process proceeds to step S52 of FIG.9 if the display unit 34 does not need to be blinked (step S32: NO).

The verification content in step S32 will be specifically described. Ifthe “blinking “necessary” information” based on the fact that theheadlight devices 51 a, 51 b are lighted on (step S3 of FIG. 6) and the“blinking “necessary” information” based on the vehicle exteriorilluminance (step S14 of FIG. 17) are stored in the storage unit 23, theverification result in step S32 becomes “YES”.

If the “blinking “unnecessary” information” based on the fact that atime of greater than or equal to a predetermined time elapsed from thelight-off time of the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b (step S9 of FIG. 6)and the “blinking “unnecessary” information” based on the vehicleexterior illuminance (step S15 of FIG. 7) are stored in the storage unit23, the verification result in step S32 becomes “NO”.

If the “blinking “necessary” information” based on the fact that theheadlight devices 51 a, 51 b are lighted on (step S3 of FIG. 6) and the“blinking “unnecessary” information” based on the vehicle exteriorilluminance (step S15 of FIG. 7) are stored in the storage unit 23, theupdate date and time of each information is verified by the control unit11.

The verification result of step S32 becomes “YES” if the update date andtime of the “blinking “necessary” information” based on the fact thatthe headlight devices 51 a, 51 b are lighted on is newer than the updatedate and time of the “blinking “unnecessary” information” based on thevehicle exterior illuminance as a result of the verification, and theverification result of step S32 becomes “NO” if older.

The update date and time of each information is also verified by controlunit 11 if the “blinking “unnecessary” information” based on the factthat a time of greater than or equal to a predetermined time has elapsedfrom the light-off time of the headlight devices 51 b, 51 b (step S9 ofFIG. 6) and the “blinking “necessary” information” based on the vehicleexterior illuminance (step S14 of FIG. 7) are stored in the storage unit23.

The verification result of step S32 becomes “NO” if the update date andtime of the “blinking “unnecessary” information” based on the fact thata time of greater than or equal to a predetermined time elapsed from thelight-off time of the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b is newer than theupdate date and time of the “blinking “necessary” information” based onthe vehicle exterior illuminance as a result of the verification, andthe verification result of step S32 becomes “YES” if older.

In step S33, the search signal containing the “blinking “necessary”information” is transmitted from the vehicle interior signaltransmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b (FIG. 2) towards theinterior of the vehicle 200 based on the determination that blinking ofthe display unit 34 is necessary in step S32. The search signalcontaining the “blinking “necessary” information” serves as a firstsearch signal in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

In this case, the unique ID information for recognizing the portabledevice 300 stored in the storage unit 23 is extracted under the controlof the control unit 11. The ID information is also included in thesearch signal with the “blinking “necessary” information”, andtransmitted from the vehicle interior signal transmission and receptionunits 16 a, 16 b.

If a response from the portable device 300 is made with respect to thevehicle control device 100 in step S34 (step S34: YES), the processproceeds to step S35, and the process proceeds to step S44 if a responseis not made (step S34: NO).

A case in which step S34 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is inside the vehicle 200 (region of dotted lines X, Y ofFIG. 2), and a case in which step S34 is “NO” is a case in which theportable device 300 is outside the vehicle 200.

If “YES” in step S34, the search signal transmitted from the vehicleinterior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b is receivedby the signal transmission and reception unit 32 (FIG. 2) of theportable device 300, and then the response signal with respect to thesearch signal is transmitted from the signal transmission and receptionunit 32 towards the vehicle interior signal transmission and receptionunits 16 a, 16 b. With the reception of such response signal, theportable device 300 can be recognized as being inside the vehicle 200 onthe vehicle control device 100 side.

In step S35, whether or not the ID information contained in the searchsignal received by the signal transmission and reception unit 32 and theID information stored in advance in the storage unit 35 on the portabledevice 300 side match is verified under the control of the control unit31 in the portable device 300. The process proceeds to step S36 if theID information match (step S35: YES) as a result of the verification,and the process proceeds to step S44 if the ID information do not match(step S35: NO).

A case in which step S35 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 corresponding to the vehicle control device 100 is inside thevehicle 200. A case in which step S35 becomes “NO” is a case in whichthe portable device not corresponding to the vehicle control device 100,that is, the portable device for a vehicle different from the vehicle200 is inside the vehicle 200 such as when forgotten by the owner of thevehicle.

In step S36, a confirm signal for notifying the vehicle control device100 side that the IDs match based on the verification result of step S35is transmitted from the signal transmission and reception unit 32 of theportable device 300 to the vehicle interior signal transmission andreception units 16 a, 16 b of the vehicle control device 100.

In step S37, the confirm signal transmitted from the signal transmissionand reception unit 32 of the portable device 300 is received by thevehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b ofthe vehicle control device 100.

The control unit 11 recognizes that the portable device 300 is insidethe vehicle 200 from the series of operations from step S34 to step S37.When the door 52 a, 52 b is locked according to the locking operationperformed in step S31 in such state, the unlocking operation using theportable device 300 cannot be performed since the portable device 300remains left inside the vehicle 200. If the driver H (FIG. 2) and thelike do not have a mechanical key, the door 52 a, 52 b cannot beunlocked. Thus, the control unit 11 invalidates the locking operation ofstep S31 in step S38 to prevent the door 52 a, 52 b from being locked.

In step S39, the alarm unit 20 on the vehicle control device 100 sideissues a sound under the control of the control unit 11 to inform thedriver H and the like, or the owner of the portable device 300, that theportable device 300 is forgotten. The display unit 34 blinks accordingto the “blinking “necessary” information” contained in the search signalreceived by the signal transmission and reception unit 32 on theportable device 300 side. The blinking operation of the display unit 34is an example of an informing operation in one or more embodiments ofthe present invention.

If the locking operation is not again performed on the vehicle 200 sidein step S40 (step S40: YES), the process proceeds to step S41, and ifthe locking operation is again performed on the vehicle 200 side (stepS40: NO), the process returns to immediately before step S32. Thedetails of the locking operation are similar to step S31, and thus thedescription will be omitted.

If the locking operation is not performed on the portable device 300side in step S41 (step S41: YES), the process proceeds to step S42, andif the locking operation is performed on the portable device 300 side(step S41: NO), the process proceeds to step S49.

A case in which step S41 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is not found by the driver H, and the like, and the lockingbutton 33 a arranged on the portable device 300 cannot be operated. Acase in which step S41 becomes “NO” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is found by the driver H, and the like, and the lockingbutton 33 a arranged on the portable device 300 is operated thereafter.

In step S42, whether or not the elapsed time (blinking time) from thestart of blinking of the display unit 34 exceeded a predetermined time(e.g., 10 minutes) set in advance is verified under the control of thecontrol unit 11. Specifically, the timing of the elapsed time by thetiming unit 21 is started at substantially the same time as thereception of the confirm signal in step S37, and the elapsed time ismonitored by the control unit 11. The timing to start timing may beimmediately after steps S33, S34, S35, S37, and S38. The processproceeds to step S43 if the blinking time exceeds a predetermined timeas a result of the verification in step S42 (step S42: YES), and theprocess returns to immediately before step S40 if the blinking time doesnot exceed a predetermined time (step S42: NO).

In step S43, a light-off signal for stopping (lighting off) the blinkingof the display unit 34 is transmitted from the vehicle interior signaltransmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b on the vehicle controldevice 100 side towards the signal transmission and reception unit 32 onthe portable device 300 side based on the verification result of stepS42. The control unit 31 lights off the display unit 34 according to thelight-off signal received by the signal transmission and reception unit32. The process returns to immediately before step S40 after the displayunit 34 is lighted off. The light-off signal serves as a stop signal inone or more embodiments of the present invention.

The description will now return to the description of steps S34 and S35.The process proceeds to step S44 if step S34 is “NO”, that is, if theportable device 300 is outside the vehicle 200, and if step S35 is “NO”,that is, if the portable device not corresponding to the vehicle controldevice 100 is inside the vehicle 200.

In step S44, the search signal containing the “blinking “necessary”information” is transmitted from the vehicle exterior signaltransmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b (FIG. 2) towards theexterior of the vehicle 200 based on the verification result in step S34or step S35.

In this case, the unique ID information for recognizing the portabledevice 300 stored in the storage unit 23 is extracted under the controlof the control unit 11. The ID information is also included in thesearch signal with the “blinking “necessary” information”, andtransmitted from the vehicle exterior signal transmission and receptionunits 17 a, 17 b.

If a response from the portable device 300 is made with respect to thevehicle control device 100 in step S45 (step S45: YES), the processproceeds to step S46, and the process returns to immediately before stepS32 if a response is not made (step S45: NO).

A case in which step S45 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is within the region of chain dashed lines V, W of FIG. 2,and a case in which step S45 is “NO” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is not within the region of chain dashed lines V, W of FIG.2.

If “YES” in step S45, the search signal transmitted from the vehicleexterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b is receivedby the signal transmission and reception unit 32 of the portable device300, and then the response signal with respect to the search signal istransmitted from the signal transmission and reception unit 32 towardsthe vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b.With the reception of such response signal, the portable device 300 canbe recognized as being outside the vehicle 200 on the vehicle controldevice 100 side.

In step S46, whether or not the ID information contained in the searchsignal received by the signal transmission and reception unit 32 and theID information stored in advance in the storage unit 35 on the portabledevice 300 side match is verified under the control of the control unit31 in the portable device 300. The process proceeds to step S47 if theID information match (step S46: YES) as a result of the verification,and the process returns to immediately before step S32 if the IDinformation do not match (step S46: NO).

A case in which step S46 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 corresponding to the vehicle control device 100 is outsidethe vehicle 200, and a case in which step S46 becomes “NO” is a case inwhich the portable device 300 not corresponding to the vehicle controldevice 100 is outside the vehicle 200.

In step S47, a confirm signal for notifying the vehicle control device100 side that the IDs match based on the verification result of step S46is transmitted from the signal transmission and reception unit 32 of theportable device 300 to the vehicle exterior signal transmission andreception units 17 a, 17 b of the vehicle control device 100.

In step S48, the confirm signal transmitted from the signal transmissionand reception unit 32 of the portable device 300 is received by thevehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b ofthe vehicle control device 100.

In step S49, whether or not the display unit 34 is blinking is verifiedby the control unit 31. The process proceeds to step S50 if the displayunit 34 is blinking (step S49: YES) as a result of the verification, andthe process proceeds to step S51 if the display unit 34 is not blinking(step S49: NO).

The control unit 11 recognizes that the portable device 300 is withinthe region of the chain dashed lines V, W at outside the vehicle 200from the series of operations from step S45 to step S48. The portabledevice 300 will not be left inside the vehicle 200 even if the door 52a, 52 b is locked according to the locking operation performed in stepS31 in such state, and thus the unlocking operation using the portabledevice 300 can be subsequently performed.

Therefore, the display unit 34 does not need to be blinked to inform theposition of the portable device 300 with respect to the portable device300 at outside the vehicle 200. If the display unit 34 is blinking, alight-off signal for stopping (lighting off) the blinking of the displayunit 34 is transmitted from the vehicle exterior signal transmission andreception units 17 a, 17 b on the vehicle control device 100 sidetowards the signal transmission and reception unit 32 on the portabledevice 300 side. The control unit 31 lights off the display unit 34according to the light-off signal received by the signal transmissionand reception unit 32. The process proceeds to step S51 after thedisplay unit 34 is lighted off. The light-off signal serves as a stopsignal in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

The alarm unit 20 that started to issue sound in step S39 automaticallystops issuing sound after issuing sound for a predetermined number oftimes, and hence the stopping operation as with the display unit 34 isunnecessary.

In step S51, the locking operation in step S31 is validated to executethe locking of the door 52 a, 52 b since the portable device 300 asrecognized as being outside the vehicle 200 by the control unit 11 fromthe series of operations from step S45 to step S48. The presentflowchart is terminated after step S51 is terminated.

Returning back to step S41 of FIG. 8, if step S41 is “NO”, the portabledevice 300 is found by the driver H, and the like, and thus the processproceeds to step S49 to stop (lights off) the blinking of the displayunit 34 executed in step S39. The details on the operation after stepS49 are similar to the above, and thus the description will be omitted.

Returning back to step S32 of FIG. 8, if step S32 is “NO”, that is, ifthe display unit 34 does not need to be blinked, the process proceeds tostep S52 of FIG. 9.

In step S52, the search signal containing the “blinking “unnecessary”information” is transmitted from the vehicle interior signaltransmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b towards the interior of thevehicle 200 based on the verification result of step S32. The searchsignal containing the “blinking “unnecessary” information” serves as asecond search signal in one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

In this case, unique ID information for recognizing the portable device300 stored in the storage unit 23 is extracted under the control of thecontrol unit 11. The ID information is also included in the searchsignal with the “blinking “unnecessary” information”, and transmittedfrom the vehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a,16 b.

If a response from the portable device 300 is made with respect to thevehicle control device 100 in step S53 (step S53: YES), the processproceeds to step S54, and the process proceeds to step S61 if a responseis not made (step S53: NO).

A case in which step S53 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is inside the vehicle 200 (region of dotted lines X, Y ofFIG. 2), and a case in which step S53 is “NO” is a case in which theportable device 300 is outside the vehicle 200.

If “YES” in step S53, the search signal transmitted from the vehicleinterior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b is receivedby the signal transmission and reception unit 32 of the portable device300, and then the response signal with respect to the search signal istransmitted from the signal transmission and reception unit 32 towardsthe vehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b.With the reception of such response signal, the portable device 300 canbe recognized as being inside the vehicle 200 on the vehicle controldevice 100 side.

In step S54, whether or not the ID information contained in the searchsignal received by the signal transmission and reception unit 32 and theID information stored in advance in the storage unit 35 on the portabledevice 300 side match is verified under the control of the control unit31 in the portable device 300. The process proceeds to step S55 if theID information match (step S54: YES) as a result of the verification,and the process proceeds to step S61 if the ID information do not match(step S54: NO).

A case in which step S54 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 corresponding to the vehicle control device 100 is inside thevehicle 200. A case in which step S54 becomes “NO” is a case in whichthe portable device not corresponding to the vehicle control device 100,that is, the portable device for a vehicle different from the vehicle200 is inside the vehicle 200 such as when forgotten by the owner of thevehicle.

In step S55, a confirm signal for notifying the vehicle control device100 side that the IDs match based on the verification result of step S54is transmitted from the signal transmission and reception unit 32 of theportable device 300 to the vehicle interior signal transmission andreception units 16 a, 16 b of the vehicle control device 100.

In step S56, the confirm signal transmitted from the signal transmissionand reception unit 32 of the portable device 300 is received by thevehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b ofthe vehicle control device 100.

The control unit 11 recognizes that the portable device 300 is insidethe vehicle 200 from the series of operations from step S53 to step S56.When the door 52 a, 52 b is locked according to the locking operationperformed in step S31 in such state, the unlocking operation using theportable device 300 cannot be performed since the portable device 300remains left inside the vehicle 200. If the driver H (FIG. 2) and thelike do not have a mechanical key, the door 52 a, 52 b cannot beunlocked. Thus, the control unit 11 invalidates the locking operation ofstep S31 in step S57 to prevent the door 52 a, 52 b from being locked.

In step S58, the alarm unit 20 on the vehicle control device 100 sideissues a sound under the control of the control unit 11 to inform thedriver H and the like, or the owner of the portable device 300, that theportable device 300 is forgotten. The display unit 34 does not blinkaccording to the “blinking “unnecessary” information” contained in thesearch signal received by the signal transmission and reception unit 32on the portable device 300 side.

The alarm unit 20 automatically stops issuing sound after issuing soundfor a predetermined number of times as described above, and hence theoperation for stopping the sound of the alarm unit 20 is not performedafter step S58.

If the locking operation is not again performed on the vehicle 200 sidein step S59 (step S59: YES), the process proceeds to step S60, and ifthe locking operation is again performed on the vehicle 200 side (stepS59: NO), the process returns to immediately before step S32. Thedetails of the locking operation are similar to step S31, and thus thedescription will be omitted.

If the locking operation is not performed on the portable device 300side in step S60 (step S60: YES), the process returns to immediatelybefore step S59, and if the locking operation is performed on theportable device 300 side (step S60: NO), the process proceeds to stepS49 of FIG. 8.

The description will now return to the description of steps S53 and S54.The process proceeds to step S61 if step S53 is “NO”, that is, if theportable device 300 is outside the vehicle 200, and if step S54 is “NO”,that is, if the portable device not corresponding to the vehicle controldevice 100 is inside the vehicle 200.

In step S61, the search signal containing the “blinking “unnecessary”information” is transmitted from the vehicle exterior signaltransmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b towards the exterior of thevehicle 200 based on the verification result in step S53 or step S54.

In this case, the unique ID information for recognizing the portabledevice 300 stored in the storage unit 23 is extracted under the controlof the control unit 11. The ID information is also included in thesearch signal with the “blinking “unnecessary” information”, andtransmitted from the vehicle exterior signal transmission and receptionunits 17 a, 17 b.

If a response from the portable device 300 is made with respect to thevehicle control device 100 in step S62 (step S62: YES), the processproceeds to step S63, and the process returns to immediately before stepS32 if a response is not made (step S62: NO).

A case in which step S62 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is within the region of chain dashed lines V, W of FIG. 2,and a case in which step S62 is “NO” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 is not within the region of chain dashed lines V, W of FIG.2.

If “YES” in step S62, the search signal transmitted from the vehicleexterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b is receivedby the signal transmission and reception unit 32 of the portable device300, and then the response signal with respect to the search signal istransmitted from the signal transmission and reception unit 32 towardsthe vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b.With the reception of such response signal, the portable device can berecognized as being outside the vehicle 200 on the vehicle controldevice 100 side.

In step S63, whether or not the ID information contained in the searchsignal received by the signal transmission and reception unit 32 and theID information stored in advance in the storage unit 35 on the portabledevice 300 side match is verified under the control of the control unit31 in the portable device 300. The process proceeds to step S64 if theID information match (step S63: YES), and the process returns toimmediately before step S32 if the ID information do not match (stepS63: NO).

A case in which step S63 becomes “YES” is a case in which the portabledevice 300 corresponding to the vehicle control device 100 is outsidethe vehicle 200, and a case in which step S63 becomes “NO” is a case inwhich the portable device 300 not corresponding to the vehicle controldevice 100 is outside the vehicle 200.

In step S64, a confirm signal for notifying the vehicle control device100 side that the IDs match based on the verification result of step S63is transmitted from the signal transmission and reception unit 32 of theportable device 300 to the vehicle exterior signal transmission andreception units 17 a, 17 b of the vehicle control device 100.

In step S65, the confirm signal transmitted from the signal transmissionand reception unit 32 of the portable device 300 is received by thevehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b ofthe vehicle control device 100. The process proceeds to step S51 of FIG.8 after step S65 is terminated.

Returning back to step S31 of FIG. 8, if step S31 is “NO”, that is, ifthe locking operation is not performed on the vehicle 200 side, theprocess proceeds to step S66 of FIG. 10.

The present flowchart is terminated if the locking operation is notperformed on the portable device 300 side in step S66 (step S66: YES),and the process proceeds to step S51 of FIG. 8 if the locking operationis performed on the portable device 300 side (step S66: NO). Theoperation of step S51 has been described above, and thus the descriptionthereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, whether theoutside of the vehicle 200 (FIG. 2) is a dark state or a bright state isdetermined from the presence of light-on of the headlight devices 51 a,51 b, comparison result of the vehicle exterior illuminance measured bythe illuminance measurement unit 22 and the reference value, and thelike when searching for the portable device 300 (FIG. 1). If determinedas the dark state, information for blinking the display unit 34(“blinking “necessary” information”) is stored in the storage unit 23(step S3 of FIG. 6, step S14 of FIG. 7). If determined as the brightstate, information for not blinking the display unit 34 (“blinking“unnecessary” information”) is stored in the storage unit 23 (step S9 ofFIG. 6, step S15 of FIG. 7). If the “blinking “necessary” information”is stored in the storage unit 23, the search signal containing the“blinking “necessary” information” is transmitted from the vehicleinterior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b or thevehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b ofthe vehicle control device 100 (steps S33, S44 of FIG. 8). If the“blinking “unnecessary” information” is stored in the storage unit 23,the search signal containing the “blinking “unnecessary” information” istransmitted from the vehicle interior signal transmission and receptionunits 16 a, 16 b or the vehicle exterior signal transmission andreception units 17 a, 17 b of the vehicle control device 100 (steps S52,S61 of FIG. 9).

Therefore, the blinking operation by the display unit 34 is performed tovisually inform the position of the portable device 300 only when theoutside of the vehicle 200 is the dark state, that is, in the vehicleexterior environment where the portable device 300 is difficult to find.Therefore, the blinking operation of the display unit 34 is notwastefully performed when the outside of the vehicle 200 is in thebright state, that is, in the vehicle exterior environment where theportable device 300 is easy to find. Thus, the lifespan of the powersupply 36 (battery) can be suppressed from becoming short when searchingfor the portable device 300.

According to the above embodiment, when the locking operation units 12a, 12 b for locking the doors 52 a, 52 b of the vehicle 200 are operatedwhen searching for the portable device 300 (step S31: YES of FIGS. 8 to10), the search signal containing the “blinking “necessary” information”or the “blinking “unnecessary” information” is transmitted from thevehicle interior signal transmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b, orthe vehicle exterior signal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b.When the locking operation units 12 a, 12 b are not operated (step S31:NO of FIGS. 8 to 10), the search signal containing the “blinking“necessary” information” or the “blinking “unnecessary” information” isnot transmitted from the vehicle interior signal transmission andreception units 16 a, 16 b, or the vehicle exterior signal transmissionand reception units 17 a, 17 b.

Thus, the search signal is transmitted and the search of the portabledevice 300 is performed only when the locking operation of the doors 52a, 52 b of the vehicle 200 is performed, and hence the search signaldoes not need to be constantly transmitted from the vehicle controldevice 100. The load of the vehicle control device 100 thus can bealleviated.

According to the above embodiment, if the time the display unit 34 isblinking in the portable device 300 exceeds a predetermined time (stepS42: YES), the stop signal (light-off signal) for stopping the blinkingoperation is transmitted from the vehicle interior signal transmissionand reception units 16 a, 16 b or the vehicle exterior signaltransmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b.

Thus, the blinking operation of the display unit 34 can be automaticallystopped after elapse of a predetermined time even when the portabledevice 300 is not found by the driver H, and the like, and thus thepower supply 36 (battery) is prevented from dying.

According to the above embodiment, if the vehicle exterior illuminancemeasured by the illuminance measurement unit 22 is smaller than areference value set in advance (step S13: YES of FIG. 7), the outside ofthe vehicle is determined as the dark state, and the “blinking“necessary” information” for blinking the display unit 34 is stored inthe storage unit 23 (step S14 of FIG. 7). If the measured vehicleexterior illuminance is greater than or equal to a reference value setin advance (step S13: NO of FIG. 7), the outside of the vehicle isdetermined as the bright state, and the “blinking “unnecessary”information” for not blinking the display unit 34 is stored in thestorage unit 23 (step S15 of FIG. 7).

Therefore, in the conventional vehicle mounted with a system forlighting on the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b when the illuminance of theoutside of the vehicle 200 measured by the illuminance measurement unit22 becomes smaller than a reference value set in advance, theabove-described embodiment can be easily implemented using the relevantsystem, and thus the introducing cost can be reduced.

According to the above embodiment, if the time difference between thelight-off time of the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b timed by the timingunit 21 and stored in the storage unit 23 and the current time timed bythe timing unit 21 is within a predetermined time (step S8: YES of FIG.6), the outside of the vehicle 200 is determined as the dark state andthe “blinking “necessary” information” for blinking the display unit 34stored in the storage unit 23 (step S3 of FIG. 6) remains as is withoutbeing rewritten. If the time difference between the light-off time ofthe headlight devices 51 a, 51 b timed by the timing unit 21 and storedin the storage unit 23 and the current time timed by the timing unit 21exceeds a predetermined time (step S8: NO of FIG. 6), the outside of thevehicle 200 is determined as the bright state and the “blinking“necessary” information” stored before in the storage unit 23 isrewritten by the “blinking “unnecessary” information” for not blinkingthe display unit 34 (step S9 of FIG. 6).

Thus, at the time at which a considerable time has elapsed from thelight-off time of the headlight devices 51 a, 51 b, for example, ateight o'clock in the morning at which 12 hours have elapsed from thelight-off time of eight o'clock in the afternoon, the display unit 34 isprevented from mistakenly blinking although the periphery is bright whenthe portable device 300 is searched.

According to the above embodiment, if the locking operation is performedby the locking operation unit 33 while the display unit 34 is blinking(step S41: NO of FIG. 8), the signal transmission and reception unit 32receives the stop signal (light-off signal) for stopping the blinkingoperation of the display unit 34 from the vehicle interior signaltransmission and reception units 16 a, 16 b or the vehicle exteriorsignal transmission and reception units 17 a, 17 b that transmitted thesearch signal containing the “blinking “necessary” information”. If thelocking operation is not performed by the locking operation unit 33while the display unit 34 is blinking (step S41: YES of FIG. 8), thesignal transmission and reception unit 32 does not receive the stopsignal (light-off signal) for stopping the blinking of the display unit34 from the above signal transmission and reception units (16 a, 16 b,17 a, 17 b).

The blinking operation of the display unit 34 does not end until theportable device 300 is found by the driver H and the like, and some kindof operation (e.g., locking operation) is performed in the portabledevice 300, and thus the lost portable device 300 can be easily found.

In the present invention, various embodiments other than the above canbe adopted. For instance, in the above-embodiment, the stop signal forstopping the blinking operation of the display unit 34 is transmitted tothe portable device 300 based on the timing operation of the timing unit21 arranged in the vehicle control device 100, but this is not solecase, and a timing unit may be arranged in the portable device 300, andthe blinking operation of the display unit 34 may be stopped based onthe timing operation thereof.

In the above embodiment, the display unit 34 is an LED, but is notlimited thereto, and may be configured by an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) and a back light of the LCD.

In the above embodiment, the display unit 34 is blinked to inform theposition of the portable device 300, but is not limited thereto, and thedisplay unit 34 may be remained lighted.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the determination on the brightand dark state of the outside of the vehicle 200 is made based on theelapsed time from the light-off time of the headlights 51 a, 51, and themeasurement result by the illuminance measurement unit 22, but is notlimited thereto, and the time zone (e.g., “early morning, morning,daytime, afternoon, late night”) may be determined from the current timetimed by the timing unit 21 and then the determination on the bright anddark state of the outside of the vehicle 200 may be made.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

1. A vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle comprising: a searchsignal transmission unit for transmitting a search signal for searchinga position of a portable device, which remotely operates the controldevice; a determination unit for determining a bright and dark state ofoutside of the vehicle; and a storage unit for storing a determinationresult of the determination unit; wherein when searching for theportable device, a first search signal for causing the portable deviceto perform an informing operation of visually informing the position ofthe portable device is transmitted from the search signal transmissionunit if the determination result in which the outside of the vehicle isdetermined as the dark state by the determination unit is stored in thestorage unit; and a second search signal for not causing the portabledevice to perform the informing operation of visually informing theposition of the portable device is transmitted from the search signaltransmission unit if the determination result in which the outside ofthe vehicle is determined as the bright state by the determination unitis stored in the storage unit.
 2. The vehicle control device accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a locking operation unit for locking adoor of the vehicle; wherein the first or the second search signal istransmitted from the search signal transmission unit if the lockingoperation unit is operated when searching for the portable device. 3.The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein a stop signalfor stopping the informing operation is transmitted from the searchsignal transmission unit when a time in which the informing operation isperformed by the portable device exceeds a predetermined time.
 4. Thevehicle control device according to claim 1, further comprising: anilluminance measurement unit for measuring an illuminance of the outsideof the vehicle; wherein the determination unit determines that theoutside of the vehicle is the dark state when the illuminance measuredby the illuminance measurement unit is smaller than a reference valueset in advance, and wherein the determination unit determines that theoutside of the vehicle is the bright state when the illuminance measuredby the illuminance measurement unit is greater than or equal to thereference value set in advance.
 5. The vehicle control device accordingto claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the outsideof the vehicle is the dark state when a time difference between alight-off time of a headlight of the vehicle and a current time iswithin a predetermined time, and wherein the determination unitdetermines that the outside of the vehicle is the bright state when thetime difference between the light-off time of the headlight of thevehicle and the current time is greater than the predetermined time. 6.A portable device for remotely operating the vehicle control deviceaccording to claim 1, the portable device comprising: a search signalreception unit for receiving the first and the second search signals;and an informing unit for performing the informing operation of visuallyinforming the position of the portable device; wherein the informingunit performs the informing operation of visually informing the positionof the portable device when the first search signal is received by thesearch signal reception unit; and the informing unit does not performthe informing operation of visually informing the position of theportable device when the second search signal is received by the searchsignal reception unit.
 7. The portable device according to claim 6,further comprising: a remote operation unit for remotely operating thevehicle control device; wherein if the remote operation unit is operatedwhile the informing operation by the informing unit is being performed,a stop signal for stopping the informing operation by the informing unitis received by the search signal reception unit and the informingoperation is stopped.
 8. A portable device search system comprising: thevehicle control device according to of claim 1, and a portable devicefor remotely operating the vehicle control device, comprising: a searchsignal reception unit for receiving the first and the second searchsignals; and an informing unit for performing the informing operation ofvisually informing the position of the portable device; wherein theinforming unit performs the informing operation of visually informingthe position of the portable device when the first search signal isreceived by the search signal reception unit; and the informing unitdoes not perform the informing operation of visually informing theposition of the portable device when the second search signal isreceived by the search signal reception unit.
 9. A portable devicesearch system comprising: the vehicle control device according to claim2, and a portable device for remotely operating the vehicle controldevice, comprising: a search signal reception unit for receiving thefirst and the second search signals; and an informing unit forperforming the informing operation of visually informing the position ofthe portable device; wherein the informing unit performs the informingoperation of visually informing the position of the portable device whenthe first search signal is received by the search signal reception unit;and the informing unit does not perform the informing operation ofvisually informing the position of the portable device when the secondsearch signal is received by the search signal reception unit.
 10. Aportable device search system comprising: the vehicle control deviceaccording to claim 3, and a portable device for remotely operating thevehicle control device, comprising: a search signal reception unit forreceiving the first and the second search signals; and an informing unitfor performing the informing operation of visually informing theposition of the portable device; wherein the informing unit performs theinforming operation of visually informing the position of the portabledevice when the first search signal is received by the search signalreception unit; and the informing unit does not perform the informingoperation of visually informing the position of the portable device whenthe second search signal is received by the search signal receptionunit.
 11. A portable device search system comprising: the vehiclecontrol device according to claim 4, and a portable device for remotelyoperating the vehicle control device, comprising: a search signalreception unit for receiving the first and the second search signals;and an informing unit for performing the informing operation of visuallyinforming the position of the portable device; wherein the informingunit performs the informing operation of visually informing the positionof the portable device when the first search signal is received by thesearch signal reception unit; and the informing unit does not performthe informing operation of visually informing the position of theportable device when the second search signal is received by the searchsignal reception unit.
 12. A portable device search system comprising:the vehicle control device according to claim 5, and a portable devicefor remotely operating the vehicle control device, comprising: a searchsignal reception unit for receiving the first and the second searchsignals; and an informing unit for performing the informing operation ofvisually informing the position of the portable device; wherein theinforming unit performs the informing operation of visually informingthe position of the portable device when the first search signal isreceived by the search signal reception unit; and the informing unitdoes not perform the informing operation of visually informing theposition of the portable device when the second search signal isreceived by the search signal reception unit.
 13. A portable devicesearch system according to 8, further comprising: a remote operationunit for remotely operating the vehicle control device; wherein if theremote operation unit is operated while the informing operation by theinforming unit is being performed, a stop signal for stopping theinforming operation by the informing unit is received by the searchsignal reception unit and the informing operation is stopped.
 14. Aportable device search system according to 9, further comprising: aremote operation unit for remotely operating the vehicle control device;wherein if the remote operation unit is operated while the informingoperation by the informing unit is being performed, a stop signal forstopping the informing operation by the informing unit is received bythe search signal reception unit and the informing operation is stopped.15. A portable device search system according to 10, further comprising:a remote operation unit for remotely operating the vehicle controldevice; wherein if the remote operation unit is operated while theinforming operation by the informing unit is being performed, a stopsignal for stopping the informing operation by the informing unit isreceived by the search signal reception unit and the informing operationis stopped.
 16. A portable device search system according to 11, furthercomprising: a remote operation unit for remotely operating the vehiclecontrol device; wherein if the remote operation unit is operated whilethe informing operation by the informing unit is being performed, a stopsignal for stopping the informing operation by the informing unit isreceived by the search signal reception unit and the informing operationis stopped.
 17. A portable device search system according to 12, furthercomprising: a remote operation unit for remotely operating the vehiclecontrol device; wherein if the remote operation unit is operated whilethe informing operation by the informing unit is being performed, a stopsignal for stopping the informing operation by the informing unit isreceived by the search signal reception unit and the informing operationis stopped.